Chemistry 12th Edition

by
Chang, Raymond; Goldsby, Kenneth

Answer

Element

Work Step by Step

It would more difficult to prove it's an element because elements are pure. It's more likely to be a compound since it's a mix of different elements, so for a scientist to prove it's an element would require mass spectrometry tests. This makes it hard for elements because there could be different isotopes, which means you would have to prove those are all part of the same element.